Monday

The annual event, held at the East Houma Bingo Hall on Grand Caillou Road, was hosted by the Krewe of Hercules 2008 Royal Court, the Terrebonne Council on Aging and the Terrebonne District Attorney’s Office.

But more important than a warm meal is the fellowship the event brings.

"They just want to be together and not be alone," said Diana Edmonson, the Council on Aging’s director. "Loneliness is the worst thing a person can endure."

The Carnival krewe had been sponsoring a similar Thanksgiving dinner for 18 years and about 10 years ago decided to also offer a Christmas dinner at the urging of 1998 krewe King Norris Naquin.

The krewe raised $10,000 to host both its Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

"The food is very, very good. Delicious," said Ruby Cuneo, 87, of Chauvin, who has attended the Christmas dinner for as long as it had been held.

Her friend of more than a decade, Clara Babin, 70, also from Chauvin, sat next to her Sunday.

"I like the place. I like the food and everything else, the band and everything," Babin said.

Lloyd and Amanda Davis have been married 44 years and sat off to the side eating and waving to friends to get their attention.

They live on roughly $750 a month from Lloyd’s retirement from the Louisiana State Employee Retirement System.

"For people on low income, it makes you very appreciative of Christmastime," Amanda Davis, 70, said. She and her 72-year-old husband have been coming to the dinner for as long as it has been held.

"We don’t try ever to miss it," Amanda Davis said. "A bunch of people still come and a bunch of new faces."

Parish President-elect Michel Claudet made an appearance to break bread with the elderly and needy.

"It’s a wonderful. This is a great way to serve the community," he said, adding that he looks forward to attending the event for many more years to come.

Newly elected District 8 Parish Councilman Joey Cehan was also in attendance for his first time.

"It was nice walking to a table, handing somebody a plate and wishing them merry Christmas," Cehan said.

The dining opened with a prayer in remembrance of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and called for peace in the community and for U.S. troops to come home safely.

Police officers, Terrebonne jail trusties, members of the krewe and the guests who were there for dinner held hands in long chains as the prayer was said.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office and jail trusties prepared and served the meals under the watchful eye of Roland Lafont from Sheriff’s Office.

Roland owned Lafont’s Restaurant in Chauvin about 12 years ago. He and his inmates have been cooking meals for the Council on Aging for 10 years.

"Without him here with us, it wouldn’t be the same," Edmonson said. "If he ever leaves us, it won’t be the same."

"Mr. Roland did a good job organizing," said Steven Pellegrin, a trusty in charge of managing the kitchen. "He takes pride in his work."

Pellegrin served his grandfather meals for the last three years, but not this year. His grandfather passed away a little over a month ago at the age of 102.

But serving the meals and putting smiles on people’s faces does make him happy, he said.

"Yes, I’m happy," he said. "They like the rice dressing."

"It had a great turnout," said Dwight Kramer, the Krewe of Hercules’ king. "I’m just privileged to be king of Hercules this year and be part of this event. Everyone enjoys coming out here to eat, dance and have a good time."

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